📝 Madison spots open on Christmas

⚖️ Baldwin Joins Call For Ceasefire

• Wisconsin’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Many Madisonians have been critical of Baldwin recently for her position on the war, protesting her events and holding rallies outside of her local office.
• “I support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, bring hostages back home, and end the terrorist organization’s threat – but it does not have the right to go to war against innocent Palestinian people. Eliminating the threat posed by Hamas and protecting civilians are not mutually exclusive aims,” Baldwin said in a statement. [Sen. Baldwin, Wisconsin Examiner]

🏆 Meet Wisconsin’s 51 Most Influential Black Leaders

• Madison365 has published its ninth annual list of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black leaders. The five-part series shines a spotlight on Black leaders throughout the state who are achieving great things.
• Some local names on this year’s list include Dr. Angela Byars-Winston, a tenured professor in the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health; Maia Pearson, a member of the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education; and Rev. Lilada Gee, an artist and nonprofit leader with more than 30 years of experience in the fields of education and social services. [Madison365]

🚮 Big Trash News (Literally)

• The city has announced that starting Dec. 27, residents who pay for the city’s recycling pickup services won’t have to pay extra fees for the collection of large items like dishwashers and air conditioners. The drop-off sites will also accept items at no cost from residents who qualify.
• Who qualifies? Anyone who pays the city’s Resource Recovery Special Charge. This charge shows up on your monthly municipal services bills alongside items like water and sewage costs. The monthly 2023 special charge rate is $4.08. In 2024, the special charge rate will be $3.95 a month. [City of Madison]

🎄 Who’s Open on Christmas?

• Many shops and businesses will close Dec. 24 and 25 in observance of Christmas. But there are a few Madison spots that will stay open for the holiday, including The Statehouse at The Edgewater Hotel, all of the Great Dane locations, Maharani, and others. Check out this full roundup from Cap Times for all the details.
• Still hungry? Here’s a list of national chains that will be open on Christmas Day in 2023. [Cap Times, Good Housekeeping]

Since there’s no newsletter next Friday, this is our last floof of 2023! Meet Garfunkel — or Gar Gar when he's being particularly cute. This sweet boy loves getting pets from new people and daytime naps. He rules the roost at the former Smart Studios building, where rock legends Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Garbage (among others) recorded.

Have a floof to share with the Madison Minutes community? Fill out the form below for an opportunity to be featured.

What Madisonians Want In 2024

With the year coming to a close, what are your hopes and dreams for the city of Madison in 2024?Maybe it’s more late night food options? Less traffic? More bike lanes? Here at City Cast Madison, we definitely have some thoughts on the matter.